Medical consultant in Cornwall warns heatwaves 'are only going to get worse'
Record-breaking temperatures have added to extreme pressures on emergency services nationwide
A medical consultant at Cornwall's main hospital is worried climate change will fuel more dangerous heatwaves across the UK.
Record-breaking temperatures have added to extreme pressures on emergency services nationwide.
The Met Office issued amber weather warning for extreme heat for the whole Duchy, along with a red 'Level 4 emergency' heat health alert for most of the country.
Last week, Treliske declared a critical incident due to bed-blocking and rising Covid cases.
It means The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust is running at the highest possible alert.
We're told the number patients ready to be discharged with no onward care has risen by over 20 percent since April.
Cornwall's hospital bosses are making repeat calls to avoid A&E at Treliske unless it is a life-threatening emergency,
Doctors say the heatwave has added to the pressure, with future heatwaves likely to be even worse.
Doctor William Stableforth is a medical consultant at Treliske, he told us:
"These events are deadly. The 2003 heatwave across Europe killed around 70,000 people, it killed around 15,000 in France. These are deadly events, make no mistake, this is not like when it's warm going to sit on the beach in Ibiza, this is completely different, these are searing heats and it's only going to get worse.
"This has been driven by the climate crisis and this is the first red alert heatwave we've had. Unfortunately, they're going to get worse. We need to get better at this, it's a bit scary, there's no easy way to deliver that message, but we have got to get better at it as it's going to get worse.
"There have been quite a lot of measures taken, particularly to get people out of ambulances. There is a national problem of ambulances stacking up outside hospitals and that has been quite bad here at Treliske. The hospital has done lots of things to mitigate that, we've freed up some space inside to get people in quickly rather than overheating in an ambulance, being in an ambulance is no fun."
10 top tips for staying safe in the heat:
• Check regularly on elderly relatives, friends and neighbours during hot temperatures
• Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water, avoiding alcohol
• Try to keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, when ultra violet radiation (UV) is at its strongest, wear sunscreen of at least factor 30 and cover up with a hat and light, loose fitting clothing and UV sunglasses, preferably wraparounds.
• Prepare for your holiday or day out. Bring any useful first aid supplies like plasters, pain relief, indigestion treatment and antihistamine and remember the sunscreen to reapply
• Ask a pharmacist for advice – they’re experts in treating minor health issues like colds, stomach upsets, aches and pains
• Go online at 111.nhs.uk or call 111 to get expert advice, and be signposted to where you can get the best and nearest care for your needs
• Call your own GP – even if you’re in the South West on holiday you could get a phone or video consultation with your doctor at home
• If you need prescription medication, your GP can ask for it to be sent to a pharmacy near where you are staying
• Help our ambulance service and NHS treat those who need us the most by only calling 999 in a genuine, life-threatening emergency such as major blood loss, chest pain or loss of consciousness
• You can also help by taking relatives and friends home when they are medically fit to return to their own surroundings after receiving hospital care.”
You can find information where else to go for treatment and check live waiting times at our main hospitals and urgent care centres on the RCHT website.